DANIEL W. BEYENE

*1998, Ethiopia
Architect
Residency dates: October–December 2025

Daniel Waju is a young architect based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He graduated from Addis Ababa University in 2021 with high honors. Earlier on, he worked with notable architects in Ethiopia. He has participated in numerous local and international competitions and gained recognition for his award-winning designs. His work, inspired by local traditions and materials, shows how respect for the environment can be the key to a sustainable future.

Residency Goal

The residency call, announced in collaboration with the Trnava city administration and Malý Berlín, focused on the adaptation of Trnava’s greenery to climate change. During my stay, I analyzed existing green areas in selected locations in Trnava and proposed solutions to make urban greenery less water-demanding. I also gave public lectures about my work and met creative professionals during my stay at Malý Berlín. The events I participated in included:

• A public lecture about the Brazilian urban design experience by Larissa Menescal, an urbanist in Bratislava (Oct 16)
• PechaKucha Night Trnava at Malý Berlín (Nov 04)
• A public lecture about my collection of works at Malý Berlín (Nov 12)
• A fundraising night for school projects in Congo and a music night (Dec 06)

Additionally, I met with professional architects and visited studios based in Bratislava and Trnava. The residency concluded with a compilation of my analysis of Trnava’s greenery adaptation to climate change, focusing on water-sensitive urban greenery design. The document included:

• Analysis of existing greenery regarding climate adaptation and water demand
• Suggestions of species that can thrive in a low-water environment
• A summary of other international cities’ policies regarding water-sensitive landscape design

In addition to working on the residency, I spent my weekends traveling and exploring new cities, which was an exciting and eye-opening part of my experience.

What did the residency give you, and why would you recommend it to others?

The residency allowed me to submerge myself in a new context of climate and culture I had never experienced before. Encountering such experiences as an architect has broadened my horizons regarding life, urbanism, and architecture. Moreover, sharing experiences with people from different backgrounds gave me new insights into how I see things in both professional and personal settings. The residency is more than just a call; it is a discovery of oneself, new people, culture, and thoughts. Therefore, I recommend that designers and architects participate in future residencies.